Rating: 
Summary: More Literary Then Mystery
Review: Mma Ramotswe has just inherited money from her father. Instead of buying a traditional business like he wanted, she decides to start her own, the only detective agency in Botswana owned by a woman. Her clients are slow in coming, but soon she is developing a business finding lost husbands, tracking the secret lives of daughters, and looking for a kidnapped boy.This book is really a literary novel not a mystery novel, which is what I expected when I started to read it. Most of the cases are solved in one chapter. We get several chapters of the main character's back story before the agency is even opened. When I was reading it as a literary book, I could get into it. If I tried thinking of it as a mystery, I was disappointed. Precious Ramotswe herself is a bit unbelievable. She was just starting out, yet did a perfect job on every case. Where were her flaws? Finally, it really seemed like a feminist book. Almost all the men in the book were the scum of the earth. While I will admit that some men are, I'd like to think I can name some that aren't (starting with me.) I have no problem with gutsy, independent women, but the overall tone just seemed to be anti-man. Ironic, since the book was written by a man. Judging by the success of these books, I'm in the minority in my opinion. It was an ok read, but certainly not something I'm crazy about and wasn't enjoyable enough to make me want to read the other books in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: a pleasingly relaxed mystery
Review: This book is reminiscent to me of Tony Hillerman's books, in that we are taken into the lives of a different type of people with their own way of dealing with a different kind of lifestyle that we are not familiar with, only instead of the four-corner area of the southwest, we are in Botswana, Africa. The story is not one of a thriller packed with action, but of a No.1 lady detective (the only one) who is approached by various customers to look into mundane to serious cases in her area. It is a relaxing, funny, sad and thought provoking book. It gives the reader a look at life in Botswana that is entertaing and informative and leaves you wanting to learn more. There aren't many fiction books on life in Africa that is available to the average citizen that is this enjoyable. You have a relaxed, good feeling when you finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasant easy read
Review: I enjoyed this book because it was a light hearted change of pace from the darker more dramatic books I have been reading as of late. It was fun and well paced. It was easy to put down and pick right back up again, which is especially important if you are a mother of small children and have to steal away to read in small moments. I agree that there were some editorial errors as mentioned in other reviews, but I found them easy to recognize and move on. The errors didn't really deter that much from the story or, more importantly, the place the story takes the reader. After finishing the book in no time at all, I found myself eager to buy the sequels. I would recommend this book simply for the wonderful whit and observation of Mma. Romatswe and the simplicity of reading a good old fashioned detective novel.
Rating: 
Summary: A Pleasure to Discover and Read!!!
Review: Alexander McCall Smith has written over 50 books, from such specialized works as The Criminal Law of Botswana, Forensic Aspects of Sleep to Children's books. He currently is a Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh University.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
This first novel in Alexander McCall Smith's widely acclaimed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series introduces us to the delightfully intuitive and enormously likable Precious (Mma) Ramotswe, who sets up the first, and so far, only Detective Agency in Botswana! She is drawn to her profession to "help people with problems in their lives." Immediately upon setting up shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, she is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart, and lands her in danger, is a missing eleven-year-old boy, who may have been snatched by witch doctors.
If you are used to morgues-full of bodies generated from unknown and suspicious methods you're out of luck! Mma Ramotswe is layed back. Learning everything she knows as she goes along. This book is best described as "peaceful". It makes you yearn for a more simple life, a roof over your head, enough to eat, and a little white van that runs.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency received two Booker Judges' Special Recommendations and was voted one of
the International Books of the Year and the Millennium by the Times Literary Supplement. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for it's unique and likable characters and exotic setting. The uniqueness of the mysteries reflect a simpler lifestle than many of us live and especially expect in a "mystery". TOTAL ENJOYMENT!
John Row
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated and bland
Review: This book's success in sales beguiles the fact that it is banal, poorly written, and horribly edited. The interesting plot premise of the adventures a woman detective in a patriarchal society has been developed into a boring story with cliched characters engaged in underwhelming activities. The stilted and choppy writing style could be an attempt to reflect the relative simplicity of life in Botswana, but it is tedious and patronizing. Obvious mistakes were rife in the paperback version (which, by now, should have been corrected from earlier editions). For example, a principal character, described early in the book as a consummate bachelor, has a dead wife mentioned later in the book. Surely better mysteries are out there?
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful character and feel-good book
Review: This is a character I wish I knew in real life. Warm, wise, witty -- have just ordered the three sequels because I just can't get enough of Mma.Ramotswe, the main character of this series. I also appreciated the African experience; it whets my appetite for more. If you need a lift, read this novel. You'll come away richer for the experience.
Rating:
Summary: Questions about titles in Botswana
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the book, The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency, and couldn't wait to see what Precious Ramotswe was going to become involved in next! I loved her direct approach to solving the "mysteries". She comes up with an idea, executes it, and solves the mystery with her innate sense of wisdom and common sense. My question to others who have read this book, or to people who may be familiar with Botswana has to do with the titles used in the book. Precious Ramotswe is referred to as Mma or Mme Mma, and later one of the male characters is referred to as Rra. Does anyone know what those titles stand for? The closest I can guess is Mme stands for Madame or Madamoiselle, but I can't figure out Mma, or Rra. Please offer help it you are able. Other than that, I recommend this book for light summer reading for those who enjoy mysteries or for those who don't. The situations that Mma Ramotswe finds herself in are light enough for even the most squeamish. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely a Weekend Read
Review: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency was a classic weekend read. Both the prose and the plot are quite simple. The several cases she solves are also simple and very predictable. This is the kind of book you take to the beach and finish it in no time. This is definitely not the kind of book you ponder and re-read. The good things about this book are the characters and the exotic setting of Botswana. It made me aware of how little I know about Africa and made me want to educate myself about Africa. The main character, Precious Ramotswe is pleasant and resourceful (large and warm like Africa). The other characters are also straightforward and somewhat memorable. However, I struggle the fact that this book is on the New York Times Best Seller list. I recommend Helen Fielding's (Yes, the author of Bridget Jones' Diary)Cause Celeb.
Rating:
Summary: Sign me up as a fan.....
Review: I bought this book because of a review I read in a magazine...can't remember which one. Now, I have all the books in Alexander McCall's Smith's series about Precious Ramotswe, proud owner of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. Unlike some reviews here, I can find no fault with the books. I agree they are not complex who-done-it thrillers, but Precious Ramotswe does not lead a thrilling life. She lives at a slower pace, more in tune with nature and her intuition than those of us in western civilization. The mysteries she solves are not that difficult, but she takes great pride in her professionalism and treats each client with great care and compassion. I particularly like the way I feel when I read about the daily happenings in Mma Ramotswe's life. I like reading about her house on Zebra Drive; her bright secretary (who scored 97% at the Botswana Secretarial College); her companion Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni; her life growing up as the beloved daughter of a devoted father who left his life's work to her so she could open her own business; her disastrous marriage; and the variety of people who seek out her professional assistance. Some reviewers have compared Mma Ramotswe to Miss Marple. I guess the comparison fits, but it seems to me that Mma Ramotswe would prefer to belong in a category by herself....the first female private investigator in Botswana. If you like the Jan Karon series about Father Tim and his beloved village of Mitford, then you might want to give The No 1. Ladies' Detective Series a try. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss This One!!!!
Review: I just can't say enough about the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency! In my own family my aunty, who had lived in Africa for several years, she first found this book and read it, and loved it. Then my mom read it and was crazy about it (and she's a retired librarian who reads a ton of novels). Next my sister, another librarian, read it and likewise was nuts about it too. My dad even read it, and he almost never reads any fiction at all....he was crazy about it also. My wife read it and is almost finished now with the next one from this exciting "new" author. I just finished it yesterday and knew I would have to review this book, would have to try and encourage others to read it.
I think I'll read all of the books in the series, and I understand there are four of them.
Botswana. I confess I didn't know much of anything about it before this book, but here Botswana comes alive, becomes completely real. The heroine of these books, the big, fat, smart, really wonderful character Precious Ramotswe, she is just too clever and fun. One little mystery after another unfolds here, each of them totally absorbing. I read the occasional mystery, but this one is easily my favorite.
I'm a writer myself (Safe Sex in the Garden, Allergy-Free Gardening, etc.) and I so appreciate writing that is fresh, fun, inventive, imaginative, full of discovery and surprise, and this novel has it all. There were several parts in the book that made me cry too, not from sadness, but from pure joy. A simply marvelous book. If a book ever did completely deserve five stars, this is the one. Treat yourself to a copy and you won't be able to put it down. When you finish it, give it to someone who doesn't read much, and I expect that this one they'll not only finish, but they'll love it too. A rare find; a simply terrific book!
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